Chromecast 2 Review -- A Huge Bang For Your Buck
This review originally ran on Oct. 12, 2015.
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Alphabet/Google's (GOOG) - Get Report original $35 Chromecast dongle was such a success the company has released two new Chromecasts - an upgraded video device and a new audio-only version.
The $35 second-generation Chromecast for video is now a small, round puck-like device and comes in a number of bright colors as well as the standard black. On the inside there's a faster processor and the ability to connect with speedy wireless networks, but the overall result remains the same -- you connect your Chromecast to your TV and you're ready to stream/cast high definition video.
Setting up a Chromecast for the first time takes less than two minutes and is absolutely trouble-free. If the video you want to watch comes from a Website that's supported by Chromecast, all you have to do is press the Chromecast icon and your dongle does the rest. Using your Wi-Fi network, you control the device's output with the new Chromecast app for Android and Apple (AAPL) - Get Report iOS, but you can also use your Windows, Mac or Chrome OS computers as your remote control.
We found the new Chromecast provides excellent streaming video quality thanks, in part due to the faster Wi-Fi. Yet, you already own a first-generation Chromecast, there's no need to run out and buy a new one. If you don't, now is a great time to turn your TV into a "smart" one.
There's also the new Chromecast for Audio. It's the same little round black puck, but instead of using an HDMI connection, there's a 3.5mm stereo audio-only mini-jack. The device comes with a very short, bright yellow connector cord to attach it to powered speakers or a home Hi-Fi.
The Chromecast Audio sounds quite good when you use the standard analog output but really shines when you tap into the digital/optical out. We tested the sound quality using the standard connectors, higher quality Audioquest Cinnamon cables and even tried the device with a wildly expensive ($230),
instead of the standard Chromecast micro-USB/AC supply. The results were near-"audiophile" quality.
Now we're at the point where the combination of something like a Chromecast Audio streamer and a set of good-sounding powered speakers could become the minimalistic home set-up of the future. You can stream music from such Websites as Spotify, Tidal, iHeartRadio (IHRT) - Get Report , and, of course, Google Play Music (but not Apple Music at this point) directly to your speakers and control everything from a smartphone or tablet.
Also priced at $35, this new audio-only device is a no-brainer for adding great-sounding streaming music to any "dumb" hi-fi speaker system in your home.
Chromecast TV Overall Score: 8.7
Chromecast Audio Overall Score: 8.6
This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.